Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 10 best defensive linemen in franchise history

By Logan Stanley

Sep 14, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith (94) celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6, not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith (94) celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6, not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 23, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of a card stunt between the first and second quarter in the final regular season game at Candlestick Park between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 23, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of a card stunt between the first and second quarter in the final regular season game at Candlestick Park between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 6: Michael Carter

49ers Tenure: 1984 – 1992

Pro Bowl Selections:  3

A late-round selection in 1984, nose tackle Michael Carter flew under the radar to become an integral member of three Super Bowl-winning teams in the 1980s.

Carter was selected to three Pro Bowls, in 1985, 1987 and 1988, and named to three All-Pro teams, making second-team both in 1985 and 1988 and first-team in 1987.

He is No. 18 on the franchise leaderboards for sacks with 22.5 in 121 games played, but his main duty was stopping the run. The 49ers were consistently a top defense during his time with the team, and he is seen as one of the best nose tackles ever for the franchise.

The historic Bill Walsh once declared Carter the best in the league back in 1985.

The ability of Carter shouldn’t really come as a surprise — he won silver in the shot put at the 1984 Olympics. It’s easy to overlook Carter when examining the great 49ers due to the starpower that surrounded him with Montana, Rice, Lott and Haley. But it cannot be forgotten how good Carter truly was.